Gary Lineker has superstition because of Liverpool icons Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson

Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker's sole superstition was born from an incident involving Liverpool legends Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson.

Lineker, 63, has reigned for some time as the BBC's highest-earning talent, and that's thanks in large part to his attention to detail. However, one meticulous habit only came about when Hansen and Lawrenson were once found somewhat derelict in their duties.

The former Tottenham and Barcelona forward once fronted the BBC's coverage of an FA Cup fifth-round clash between Wolves and Rochdale back in 2003. However, he told colleagues Alan Shearer and Micah Richards his co-hosts at the time were far from ready to go live, convincing him to change his preparations for the next two decades and more.

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"So Alan wanted to tell this story about when Liverpool were about to win the league at Molineux, and the Liverpool fans found a way to get in the ground," he recalled on 'The Rest Is Football' podcast. "There was a door in the dressing room at Molineux that actually opened out onto the street. And he said, 'We're all sitting there about to get the team talk, and about 100 Liverpool fans came through the dressing room.' And he was gonna tell this story, which is a great story.

"I did the rehearsal a couple of times. Then, as always, we get the count coming down, the music plays [hum MOTD theme tune], and I deliver my opening line: 'So, Alan, didn't you clinch the league title here?' So Alan Hansen's just sitting there, and he's looking at the [matchday] programme! And he just keeps on looking at the programme, and he doesn't say anything. He doesn't say a word.

"And I'm going, 'That's odd.' And next to him is Mark Lawrenson. Now Alan and Mark had had a bit of a big night the night before. So I then hand to Mark Lawrenson: 'Do you want to say anything, Mark?' And he's just [laughed], and he's reading his notes. I'm going, 'What is going on?' My head's mashed! And I've gone, 'Are we not live yet?' And the editor in my ear shouts, 'Oh, yes, we are!'"

Lineker was in no doubt the exchange would go viral if it happened today, with Hansen left frazzled by his faux pas. However, it birthed a broadcasting tradition that the former has stuck to every time he's going on air.

He continued: "So ever since that day, as soon as the titles run, as soon as the music plays, I say, [all join in] 'Is this for real?' Yes! And I've done it every single programme [since]. In fact, Micah joins in sometimes."

Wolves went on to end Rochdale's FA Cup run that season by triumphing 3-1 at home. Meanwhile, Hansen and Lawrenson were forced to assess their own performance after a live TV gaffe of epic proportions.

Both Richards and Shearer clarified they aren't the superstitious types, freeing themselves of any obsessive-compulsive behaviours. However, the same can't be said for Lineker, who has long gone to great lengths in order to ensure any repeat slip-ups.

Lineker recently revealed he "broke down" after learning long-time colleague Hansen had been hospitalised in early June. However, he and many others around the football world were lifted to learn the Scot has since been discharged.

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